Utes' Blechen eager to get team back to where it belongs: bowl games

Utes' Blechen eager to get team back to where it belongs: bowl games

(Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — The last two seasons have marked unfamiliar territory for the University of Utah football team. Once boasting a national best nine-year bowl game streak in which the Utes went 8-1, the Utes have been noticeably absent over the last two.

Utah senior safety Brian Blechen is hoping to buck that trend.

"There is nothing more I want to do than make a bowl game. Not making one the last two years has been a huge letdown, and it is not what this program is used to," Blechen told the media at the first team press conference of the 2014 season.

And he is right. Since Ron McBride was hired as Utah's head coach in 1990, the Utes have only missed going to a bowl game in nine seasons, two of which were McBride's first years with Utah. Even more rare is consecutive years in which the team has missed out on postseason play, happening only three times in that time span: 1990-91, 1997-98, and now 2012-13.

The road to six wins is remarkably more difficult since the Utes joined the Pac-12 in 2011. Since then, the Utes have only hit that mark once, winning seven games in the regular season before being invited to and winning the 2011 Sun Bowl vs. Georgia Tech.

Brian Blechen and Kendal Thompson shake hands after a University of Utah football scrimmage at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014.
Brian Blechen and Kendal Thompson shake hands after a University of Utah football scrimmage at the Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014. (Photo: Kristin Murphy/Deseret News)

But the team, especially Blechen, isn't going to use that as an excuse. This year marks his last opportunity to don the crimson and white for the Utes, and goal number one is to return the program to where it belongs.

"Being as it is my senior year, that is what we want to do — get this team back on the track it should be on," Blechen said. "A bowl game is just the start. Sure we want six wins, but we also want to compete in our conference and win the south. We just want to get Utah back to where it should be."

The senior from Moorpark, California, sat out the 2013 season recovering from a bad case of tendinitis in his knee. He used it as an opportunity not only to learn from his teammates on the field, but to grow off the field as well.

"I feel re-energized," Blechen said. "After sitting out a year and watching our whole season from the sideline, I think I picked up a lot of things. Mentally I feel sharper and smarter than ever. I feel healthy. And I think this could definately be an opportunity for me to turn a new page."


There is nothing more I want to do than make a bowl game. Not making one the last two years has been a huge letdown, and it is not what this program is used to.

–Brian Blechen


Blechen was elected a team captain for the 2014 season, joining wide receiver Dres Anderson, left guard Junior Salt, defensive end Nate Orchard and kicker Andy Phillips.

When asked about his leadership role on the team, he politely deferred to the unity and closeness of the team.

"The freshmen bought in right away. We didn't have guys complaining. I think by the seniors and other veterans setting the right mindset the whole team begins to buy in. Our team is close this year, and I think that is huge for us. We are one group, one unit, and you can lean on the guy next to you."

Blechen and the Utes get their first opportunity for a win Thursday as they face Idaho State in the 2014 season opener at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Robert Jackson is the cross platform sports and weather producer for ksl.com and KSL-TV. He has covered the Utes for KSL since 2008. You can catch him and co-host Brian Swinney Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9 p.m. on the Ute Sports Report 1320 KFAN.

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